What's the Big Deal About Counterfeit Decks?

The Tarot and Oracle Deck community has been plagued by counterfeit decks for several years. Each time I encounter people who have purchased or are selling counterfeit decks, I am once again struck by the enormity of the problem. Some people are genuinely unaware that a deck can be counterfeit or don’t understand why it’s a problem. Still, others believe they are entitled to the Tarot deck of their choice and blame the creators for the high price of decks. I’ve seen some even call deck creators greedy or immoral. No one owes you the Tarot deck of your choice. There are plenty of inexpensive, legitimately published decks. Knowingly selling or purchasing stolen property is immoral.

So, what is wrong with buying a counterfeit deck? Some people on social media claim it is a victimless crime. However, the creators, publishers, and collectors are all impacted by the production and sale of counterfeit decks. When stolen art is reproduced, the creators and publishers do not get paid. Not only do they not benefit from the sale of their rightful intellectual property, but demand for legitimate products decreases as the counterfeits are sold. There has also been the argument that copies of out-of-print decks are acceptable. No. They are not. Collectors buy and sell out-of-print decks. For many collectors, decks are an investment that gains value as they age. Counterfeit decks force down the worth of these collectible decks.

How do you identify a counterfeit deck? There are many signs of a counterfeit deck. One of the most glaring indications of counterfeit decks is a QR code in the place of a bar code. These QR codes are used to access guidebooks in pdf format. Many times the pdf has been removed from the internet because the web host was served a legal order to take it down. Therefore, the consumer is left with a deck and no guide.

Packaging is another indicator. Most bootleg decks come in a tuck box. Yes, tuck boxes are common in legitimate decks, but the quality of the box and the presence of a QR code can be the tipoff. Research the deck you are considering so that you can learn how the legitimate publisher or independent creator packages the deck. A large number of legitimate decks come in a sturdy two-part box. Knowing how the deck should be packaged will be very helpful as more knockoffs are being sold in tin boxes and come with a generic Tarot little white book.

Holographic decks have become popular with counterfeiters as well. If you are looking at a holographic version of a well-known deck, check with the publisher to find out if they produced this title with a holographic effect. Most holographic decks are knockoffs. This effect is presumably added to disguise the poor color quality of the print. The example below shows the holographic box of a bootleg Blue Bird Lenormand.

Of course, size is another obvious clue. Most bootleg decks are smaller than the standard-size decks. This is especially true for knockoff oracle decks. Oracle cards are frequently 3.5” X 5.75”. If you are considering a “mini-sized” deck, check if the publisher offers a smaller size. Mini-sized decks are becoming a popular option from legitimate publishers to accommodate the preference for smaller decks.

What about small-business owners who are considering adding Tarot or oracle decks to their inventory? Once again, research what you want to sell. I’ve seen more than one person selling decks on their website or social media who claim to be shocked when they learn their merchandise is fake. Legitimate decks come from the publishers or creators. Businesses can register as resellers and create a wholesale account with publishing companies to purchase stock. If the deck you wish to sell is independently published, you will need to contact the creator. Most creators will offer a bulk price for resellers. By and large, wholesale warehouses sell counterfeit decks. You will never get a better deal from someone other than the publisher. If it’s too good to be true, it is probably a scam.